Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,350, John England, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
England, John
R. 3,350
Book in P...
CONTENTS

Virginia:
Stafford County Court September, the 8 th 1834.
On this 8 th of September 1834 appeared before the Court John England of late a resident of the City of Richmond, but previously of this County, aged Seventy nine years, and being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That in the year One thousand Seven Hundred and eighty which engaged as an Artisan at Hunters Iron Works in the County of Stafford and State of Virginia, he was drafted according to Law to serve as a soldier for Eighteen Months in the Revolutionary War, and was immediately marched by Captain Mason Fitch who was under the Command of Col. William Gurrard, who was the Col d Commandant of the Militia of Stafford, to the place of Rendezvous in Fredericksburg under the Command of General George Washington, where he remained a few Weeks, when he was sent for by General Washington and ordered to return to the place from whence he had been taken, and where arms were made and repaired for the public use - stating to him that he was one of the best workmen whose services could be obtained, that arms were much wanted, rendering his Country more benefit in that capacity than by remaining in the Army & gave the declarant a furlough, with orders to be at all times ready in case of necessity to march at forty eight hours notice - The declarant in obedience to his orders returned to the Iron Works & continued there the eighteen months for which he had been drafted faithfully employed in making and repairing Guns for the Army and always ready and willing to the call of his Country whenever she might choose to change the nature of the service.
The declarant received no Compensation for his work during the term for which he was drafted, considering himself as much a soldier as if in the Army, and as much subject to Military Law as if he had remained under the immediate Command of General Washington, as was shown by the Circumstance of his receiving a regular discharge at the expiration of the eighteen months for which he had been drafted, and which discharge has been lost or destroyed so that it cannot be produced.
And the said declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & he declares his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State. Sworn to and subscribed to the day & year as aforesaid.
John England
The following interrogatories were propounded to the applicant and answered in open Court.
1 st Where and in what year were you born?

Answer - I was born in Bucks County, State of Pennsylvania on the 29 th day of September 1755.
2 nd Have you any record of your age where is it?
Answer. I have no record of my age. I have heard my parents say, I was born in the 29 th day of September 1755. I was bound apprentice as having been born at that time.
3 rd Where were you living when called into Service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or, were you a substitute, if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I lived at Hounton Iron Works in the County of Stafford, State of Virginia, when called into Service, I was drafted; I was not a volunteer. I was not a substitute.
4 th State some of the regular officers who were with the troops, & where you served such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your services.
Answer. General M c Donough had the command of all the troops assembled at the place of Rappahannock in Fredericksburg, there were inferior officers who exercised authority over the men. Of whom I recollect Captains Fitzpatrick, Redd and Bradford. I was so short a time in service before I was re-manded by General M c Donough to the Iron Works, that I knew but few officers, and nothing occurring during the time of my service of a general nature worthy of notice.
5 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer. I received a discharge from General M c Donough in the beginning of the year 1782. at the end of my eighteen months service & it has been long lost or destroyed.
6 th Did you ever receive a Commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what was tenor of it?
Answer. I never received a Commission. I was to have had one had General M c Donough not changed the nature of my service.
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character, for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. I have spent a part of my time lately in the City of Richmond except that I have spent all my life since I came to Virginia in the County of Stafford. Robert H. Moore, Samuel Gordon, Basil Gordon, Thomas Sharwood. The Rev. Nathl. Greene, Jos. Cannon, Geo. Banks, & many others would pronounce me, & would testify in favour of my veracity, & their belief in my services as set forth in my declaration.
We Robert H. Moore and Thomas Sharwood residing in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with

John England who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is believed and reputed in the neighborhood where he long resided to have served in the Revolution as he has stated and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Robt. Hove
Thos. Harwood
Stafford County to wit:
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, Thomas C. Scott and made oath that he heard W. John Bell, a very old man now deceased late a resident of this County a short time before his death say that John England whose declaration is hereto attached was drafted during the Revolutionary War, that he the said Bell assisted in conducting the said draft, that the said England remained but a short time in the Army when he was ordered to the Forge in this County to aid and assist in making and mending Gun-locks which were then in great demand for the use of the Army. In which service said England remained during the war frequently having to work good part of the night; and that he thought the service which said England performed was much harder than that which he would have had to perform in the Army given under my hand this 10 th day of September 1834.
Robt. Hove
And the said Court doth hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant served in the Revolutionary War as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Robert Hove and Thomas Harwood who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of this County and are creditable persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit, as also the affidavit of Thomas C. Scott attached to said declaration.
I John M. Conway Clerk of the County Court of Stafford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of John England for a pension.
In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 9 th day of September 1834.
J. M. Conway

State of Virginia, Stafford County to wit:
I Robert W. Hove presiding Justice of the court of Stafford County, in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the attestation hereto annexed, made by John M. Conway, clerk of the said Court, is in due form, and by the proper officer appointed by the laws of said state for that purpose, and that full faith and credit are due thereto in every court or office in the united states. Given under my hand this 10 th day of September 1824. in the 37 th year of the Independence of the United States.
Robt. W. Hove

June 30, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Am John England, R. 3350
Mr. George H. L. King 1301 Prince Edward Street Fredericksburg Virginia
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for an abstract of the pension application of John England of Stafford County, Virginia.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, R. 3350, based upon the military service of John England, the only soldier of that name who lived in Stafford County, Virginia, that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
He was born September 29, 1755, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not given.
He applied for pension September 8, 1834, while living in Stafford County, Virginia, and alleged that in 1780 he was engaged as artisan at Hunters Iron Works in Stafford County, Virginia, being a resident of that county. He further alleged that in 1780 he was drafted to serve eighteen months and was marched by Captain Mason Pilcher, who was under the command of Colonel William Gerrard, to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and after remaining there a few weeks he was ordered to return to Hunters Iron Works and continue making and repairing arms, which he did for eighteen months and was discharged early in 1782.
The claim was not allowed as the pension law required that he render at least six months service in a military capacity and the alleged service was not considered as being in a military capacity.
In 1848 he was living in Richmond, Virginia.

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the family of John England.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Wm Lee
P.B.
Feb 22 nd 1831
In
John England claims to have been drafted for a term of 18 months into the Virginia militia. He alleges that he marched to the place of rendezvous, where he was ordered by Genl Woodson  sent to his former employ- ment at Hunters on parole  from parole at which place he remained at his usual employment until the period of his draft ex- pired.
Without dwelling upon the improbability of a draft for eighteen months militia service in Virginia , it is sufficient for the disposal of this claim to say that only actual military service comes within the provisions of the act of 7 June 1832. If a militia man held himself in readiness to serve during the whole term without performing actual service in the field or garrison it would give him no right to a pension. Six months actual service not having been performed, this claim must be rejected. 8

papers remain on file. The papers which were returned to R.B. Monroe Esq on the 20 th Nov 1833 should have been sent to this office with the new declaration. But the as soon as a case is presented by the facts now stated that a decision has been made without the delay which the obtaining them at this time might lead to. The papers declaration remaining on file.
2. Monroe Esq. 22 Sept 1834 Q.C. Va.
P. Vol 34
S. Briggs Esq Present

September 16, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John England, R.3350 BA-J/MCS
Mr. George King 1301 Prince Edward Street Fredericksburg Virginia
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the record of John England who served in the Revolution and moved to Stafford County, Virginia.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, R. 3350, based upon the service of John England, the only soldier of that name who lived in Stafford County, Virginia, that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
He was born September 29, 1755, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not given.
He applied for pension September 8, 1834, while living in Stafford County, Virginia, and alleged that in 1780 he was engaged as artisan at Hunters Iron Works in Stafford County, Virginia, being a resident of that county. He further alleged that in 1780 he was drafted to served eighteen months and was marched by Captain Mason Pilcher, who was under the command of Colonel William Gerrard, to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and after remaining there a few weeks he was ordered to return to Hunters Iron Works and continue making and repairing arms, which he did for eighteen months and was discharged early in 1782.
The claim was not allowed as the pension law required that he render at least six months service in a military capacity and the alleged service was not considered as being in a military capacity.

In 1848 he was living in Richmond, Virginia.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the family of John England.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
August 13, 1931
Esmeralda Robinson Smith Tennessee Polytechnic Institute Cookeville, Tennessee
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section MCS
Dear Madam:
You are advised that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 3350, it appears that John England was born September 29, 1755, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
He applied for pension September 8, 1834, while living in Stafford County, Virginia, and alleged that in 1780 he was engaged as artisan at Hunters Iron Works in Stafford County, Virginia, being a resident of that county. He further alleged that in 1780 he was drafted to serve eighteen months and was marched by Captain Mason Pilcher, who was under the command of Colonel William Gerrard, to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and after remaining there a few weeks he was ordered to return to Hunters Iron Works and continue making and repairing arms, which he did for eighteen months and was discharged early in 1782.
The claim was not allowed as the pension law required that he render at least six months service in a military capacity and the alleged service was not considered as being in a military capacity.
In 1848 he was living in Richmond, Virginia.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the family of John England.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

1301 Prince Edward St., Fredericksburg, Va. June 28 th 1954.
The Pension Dept., Old Record Division, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Kindly send me an abstract of the Pension Application of John England , Revolutionary Soldier. who died in Stafford Co. Va. in 1851. I wish to know in particular his birth date & what service he rendered. Thanking you, I am
Yours very truly, Geo. H. King

1301 Prince Edward Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 12 September 1933.
The Pension Dept., Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
I am looking for the Pension of one JOHN ENGLAND , who probably served in the Revolutionary War in Pennsylvania after which he moved to Stafford county Virginia and died in 1851, aged 96 years. I judge he would have filed for Pension from Va., - but his service so far as I can determine was given in Pennsylvania, most probably in Chester county, or Bedford Co. Pa.
Thanking you sincerely for this information, I am,
Yours very truly,
George King George King

1301 Prince Edward Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 2nd September 1933.
The Pension Department, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
Kindly inform me what record you have of JOHN ENG- LAND , a Revolutionary Soldier, who resided in Stafford county, Va.
He is in a list of Revolutionary Soldiers published by the Va. State Library as in a "Report from the Secretary of War in relation to the Pension Establishment of the U.S. Vol. 3- Washington, 1835".
I am especially anxious to know if his date of birth and anything else concerning him is on his pension. He died in 1851.
Thanking you most sincerely for this valuable information, I am
Yours very truly,
George H.S. King

1931. Aug. 13. hist. to Esmeralda Robinson Smith. See letter John England. W. 5-270 mcd 1933. Sept. 11. hist to Mr. Geo. King. mcd 1934. June 30. hist. to Mr. Geo. H. L. King. mcd
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
5350
P. O. John England
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18 List of 1852 gives following reason for rejection: "Service in a foreign - not military service." Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: Va _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Peter Tullett affidavit in John England's apprenticeship for Percy - Mr for under act June 1832.
a copy of that affidavit on file before Congress. H. Green

S. Green Jan 23. 1850. with Copies, —

Pension Office Jan 23 d - 1850
Sir,
Agrably to your request, I enclose herewith a copy of the Affidavit of Peter H. Triplett, in the case of John England, of Virginia, an applicant for a pension under the act of 7 June 1832.
D. Green, Esq. Present,
(un)

From W. A. Graham March 11. 1842

189
Gen H
March 11 th 42
Sir
I have the honor to return you the papers in the case of John England and in reply to your enqui- ry to state that his claim was rejected upon the ground that his own statement shewed that he was not in military ser- vice as much as six months — Therefore The employment in the "Forge" if detailed from the ranks would not have changed his cha- racter as an drafted  enlisted soldier. His name would have been "booke" on the rolls with those of the other 18mo drafts. As his name is not found thereon it is conclusive that he was not furloughed for the term of his draft but he ceased to be soldier when he return- ed to the forge; which agreeably to his statement was a few days after the draft  dismissing the
Gen. H. A. Graham (M. Reas. Pen. Senate)

Thomas Green May 26. 49,

Pension Office
463
May 26. 1849
Sir
The amended declaration and additional evidence in the case of John England, has been examined and filed, the testimony exhibited being deemed insufficient to remove the objections to the claim as communicated to Hon: W. A. Graham in my letter to him of the 11 th March 1842, a copy of which is herewith enclosed.
Thomas Green Esq. Washington City.

The English Virginia Repealed
Dr. Prigg
22 Septm 1842 N. J. v. Penna Prigg v. Penna 22 N. J. L. 1 22 N. J. L. 1
3350

John England
Pa
at 7 June '32
Dr Brv ps a o h h

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
20 Nov 1833 -
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Jan'y 12/49 John England.
In pension under act 7 June 1832.
New evidence filed.
Mr. [unclear]
Mr. [unclear] also [unclear]
Presented 12 June 1848 by Thos. Green

Mar 8 1847
John C. Graham
James L. Edwards Esq. Comm. Pensions War Department
Hon. W. C. Graham Senate U.S.

Senate Chamber March 8 th 1842.
Sir
Please inform me of the grounds on which the claim of John England, whose papers are enclosed, was rejected at the pension office, and whether any claim for a Pension has been allowed either at the office or by Congress upon evidence such as he presents in the Report of the Committee of N. R.
I am very Respectfully Your obedt servt Will. H. Graham
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm. Pensions }

JOHN ENGLAND.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 540.]
DECEMBER 22, 1840.
Mr. TALIAFERRO, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom the petition of John England was referred, concur in the report made 25th Congress 3d session, hereto annexed; and report a bill.
DECEMBER 21, 1838.
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was committed the memorial of John England, report:
That the evidence in the case which accompanies this report is considered such as to justify them in reporting a bill; and is as follows:
I hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with John England, late of the county of Stafford, and State of Virginia, for many years—indeed, for more than half a century; and always considered him an honest, well-disposed man. I well recollect that he was a soldier in a camp in the Forge Old-field, about one mile above Falmouth, in the year 1781; how long he remained there, I cannot say; and I recollect to have heard that he was removed from thence to the forge, by order of the commander-in-chief, General Weedon, for the purpose of being employed as an artificer in making fire-arms, &c.; but that he was still considered as in the military service of the United States, and liable to be called on when wanted. I have no precise recollection how long he was thus employed, but I think it must have been at least six months; indeed I can safely say that I have seen him at work there for a much longer period.
Witness my hand, the 20th day of January, 1838.
R. H. HOOE.
I hereby certify that I concur, in every particular, with the above certificate of R. H. Hooe.
THOMAS HARWOOD.

STAFFORD COUNTY, to wit :
Personally appeared before the undersigned, a justice of the peace for the county of Stafford, in the State of Virginia, [R. H. Hooe and Thomas Harwood,] and made oath that the foregoing statements are true, to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Given under my hand, this 20th day of January, 1838.
W. P. CONWAY.
I, Thomas C. Scott, do hereby state that I have heard a certain John Bell, (who is now dead,) a very old man, say that he knew John England was draughted for military service in the revolutionary war; that, afterwards, he was detained, by order of General Weedon, for the purpose of making fire-arms at the forge near the town of Falmouth, the said England being a first-rate workman of that description.
THOMAS C. SCOTT.
VIRGINIA, Stafford county, to wit :
Sworn to before the undersigned, a justice of the peace for said county, the 20th January, 1838.
W. P. CONWAY, J. P.
WASHINGTON, January 3, 1838.
The undersigned is well acquainted with John England, who is an applicant for a revolutionary pension; and he is satisfied that the truth of any statement made by the said England of his services may be relied on.
JOHN M. PATTON.
WASHINGTON, January 3, 1838.
In reference to the claim of John England, now before the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, the undersigned perceives, on looking into the papers, that no evidence is offered by the petitioner to prove his service, except his own statement on oath . The undersigned has, from early life, known John England intimately, and he knows him to be a man of as fair character as ever lived . He is now considerably advanced of eighty years of age, and for more than sixty years past he has sustained an unsullied reputation. It was very difficult, at the commencement of the war of the Revolution, to obtain artisans suited to the military operations; whenever, therefore, soldiers were discovered to be good artificers, they were familiarly detailed to perform service in some public establishment. Such was the case in regard to John England, to the knowledge of the undersigned, who then resided near the foundry in which John England, a most distinguished artisan, was detailed to work. The petitioner is now very aged, infirm, and poor; and the undersigned is satisfied that the account given by him of his services is true.
Very respectfully,
JOHN TALIAFERRO.
Hon. Mr. MORGAN.

THIRTIETH CONGRESS—FIRST SESSION.
Report No. 791.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
JOHN ENGLAND.
JULY 19, 1848.
Laid upon the table.
Mr. DONNELL, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of John England, praying for a pension, report:
That they cannot concur in the reports made in the Senate of the 27th June, 1846, and the report in the House of Representatives therein referred. They cannot consent to make the precedent to allow a pension upon the unsupported "statement on oath" of the petitioner as to his service. They recommend that the prayer of the petitioner be not granted.

Virginian Culpeper County to wit
I Peter H. Triplett of the County and State above written do Certify that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and am now a pensioner of the United States. That I was well acquainted with John England before and after the Revolution, he living in the County of Stafford and I in the adjoining County of Culpeper and but a few miles apart. That I recollect distinctly that I was in the neighborhood in the latter part of the year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty, when a draft was made for the Army and that the said John England was drafted for Eighteen months - that he served but a short time in the Army and was then furloughed by General Ulveron and sent to work in the Armory at Huntley's Forge in the County of Stafford and that he remained on furlough and at work in said Armory until the eighteen months had expired, and was then discharged by Genl. Ulveron. Mr England is now an excellent mechanic and has always borne as good a character for honesty and industry as any man in the Country. - Given under my hand and seal this 18 th day of November 1848.
Peter H. Triplett (Seal)
Virginian Culpeper County to wit
This day personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid Peter H. Triplett and subscribed to the foregoing Certificate and made oath to the facts therein contained - and I certify that I have known the said Peter H. Triplett ever since I could remember, and have full faith and confidence in his statement. - Given under my hand & seal this 18 th day of November 1848.
Wm J. Campbells J.P. Seal

State of Virginia
Giles County to wit:
I Fayette Mancy clerk of the county court of Giles County, do hereby certify that William T. Humphreys, who hath made the foregoing certificate is now and was at the time of making the same an acting justice of the peace in said county, duly commissioned and qualified.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court this 21 st day of November 1848.
F. Mancy co.
State of Virginia
Fauquier County to wit:
I hereby certify that I have known Peter H. Tiptell for the last forty or fifty years. he has always borne a good character as I believe and I would as soon believe him on oath as any man in the State of Virginia given under my hand and seal this 22 nd Nov. 1848.
Moses Green Seal
Virginia Fauquier County to wit:
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for said County Moses Green subscribed to the foregoing certificate and made oaths to the facts therein contained given under my hand and seal this 22 nd Nov. 1848.
William McCoy Seal

State of Virginia } To wit City of Richmond }
On this Sixteenth day of December in the year 1848, personally appeared before the Hustings Court of the City of Richmond John England a resident of the City of Richmond State of Virginia aged Over Ninety three years, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration (he having made a similar declaration before the County Court of Stafford County State of Virginia on the ninth day of September 1833) in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th One Thousand eight hundred & thirty two. That in the year One Thousand seven hundred & eighty, while engaged as an artisan at Hunter's Iron Works in the County of Stafford and State of Virginia, he was drafted according to law to serve as a soldier for eighteen months in the Revolutionary war; and was immediately marched to the place of Rindzenau in Frederickburg under the command of General George Washington where he remained a few weeks; when he was sent for by General Washington and ordered to return to the works from whence he had been taken and where arms were made and repaired, stating to this affiant that he was one of the best workmen whose services could be obtained, that arms were much wanted in the Southern army, that he could render his Country much more service in that capacity than to remain in the army and gave him a furlough, with orders to be at all times ready in case of necessity to march at forty eight hours notice. This affiant in accordance to his orders returned to the Iron works and remained there eighteen months for which he had been drafted, faithfully employed in making and repairing arms for the use of the army and ready and willing to obey the call of his Country whenever she might choose to change the manner of his service for which he did not then, nor since has, received any compensation And that he hath hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day

and your above written - In England
And the Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states -
I Charles Howard clerk of the Court of Hustings for the City of Richmond do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Engrane for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this sixteenth - day of December in the year One thousand eight hundred and forty eight.
Chas. Howard, clerk